Between 200 and 300? Tighten your seat belts, boys and girls, it looks like we're going to crash!

Sweet. First comment. We really do know it all.
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nope, he meant "in any every"

Black Thursday!

LOOK OUT BELOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

Sweet. First comment. We really do know it all.

stuffbiglawassociateslike.wordpress.com

"in any every"? When will ATL announce its performanced based layoffs?

Sweet. First comment. We really do know it all.

300? Holy crap. Good luck to anyone who has to try to find a Biglaw job in the next year.

"in any every"? When will ATL announce its performance based layoffs?

"in any every"? When will ATL announce its performance based layoffs?

I'm going back to a less depressing comment thread. Riling up the UPenn Staters in the Wolf Block thread it is!

Can someone confirm DLA Piper layoffs of about this magnitude going on today as well?

"Being a multiple-spamming d-bag" is apparently one of the things big law associates like.

Amazing - how can some firms, like Holland, cut 300 attorneys, yet other firms raise salaries and have no news of layoffs? Are there really big differences between these firms???

They have 1100 attorneys...a 200-300 cut is swinging with a mighty big axe.

DLA cuts 180

DLA just announced big layoffs by email.

300 apparently is attorneys plus staff but just not clear at this point. blood in the water.

Firsts of Fury!!!!

DLA cuts 80 associates and 100 staff nationwide...

@16: McDonalds and Le Bernardin both serve food. Does that make them exactly the same?

Post the DLA memo.

What about Milbank? when are we going to hear about Milbank?

@23 - no, but as a law student I was always under the impression that these biglaw firms are fungible - at least, that was the word last year. Doh.

All together now......

"When the log rolls over, we'll all be dead!"
"When the log rolls over, we'll all be dead!"
"When the log rolls over, we'll all be dead!"

23: No, the quality may vary, but one makes FAR more money than the other and will be around FAR longer. $$$.

ELIE, YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO REAL JOURNALISTS. IN ANY EVERY????

23 - You are a moron and your analogy is absurd. I'm sorry you were laid off by H&K, but don't take out your frustration by trying to pummel 16 with your "intelligence."

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So as a 3L with an offer from a Vault 50 firm, I should pretty much plan on getting my start date pushed back to January 2010, them not paying my bar expenses and eventually having that offer rescinded. Looks like the kids that went to work for the government are going to be the high rollers - meaning they have jobs in this economy. fucking shit

HEY ALL YOU FANCY ASSOCIATES AT H&K LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDERS: DTA YA SONOFABITCH!! THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE, CUZ STONE COLD SAID SO!!

Why is all of this coming down today and tomorrow? Seems like multiple firms are all doing it on the same day, as opposed to one here and there over the last 6 weeks.

OCEANS RISE

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26, you really should stop listening to other know-nothing law students when making important life decisions.

13 CORPORATE ASSOCIATES WILL BE LET GO AT PAUL WEISS! JUST GOT THE MEMO!!!!

23: No, the quality may vary, but one makes FAR more money than the other and will be around FAR longer. $$$.

34: traditionally, layoffs of this sort take place on Friday. That way the affected can go home and have the weekend to recover instead of showing up at the office the next day and bringing everyone down.

So, either firms will be laying off even more people tomorrow, or they are doing it because a lot of people that they need to fire won't be in the office as a result of taking a day off to make it a four day weekend.

34: traditionally, layoffs of this sort take place on Friday. That way the affected can go home and have the weekend to recover instead of showing up at the office the next day and bringing everyone down.

So, either firms will be laying off even more people tomorrow, or they are doing it because a lot of people that they need to fire won't be in the office as a result of taking a day off to make it a four day weekend.

I understand that H&K Chicago is delaying spring 1st years. Doubt there are very many if those but.....

DLA cutting first years?

Anyone heard anything out of STB yet? The silence over there has gone from ominous to terrifying given word about how bad 2008 revenues were.

300?

This is Sparta!

Why don't we do a report on firms that seem to be in the best position to weather this downturn in the economy?

45, 34 here. I get the Friday part, but why now, in February? Is it the fact that more 2008 financials are being completed for firm management committees to look at? This just seems like a lot of firms in a 2 day period in February, when we have seen news trickling in a couple a week in December and January.

50: see e.g. Jacoby and Meyers

#47 - yes. I was one of them in NY.

53, any other cities besides NY getting first years cut? what practice area?

I'm gonna LMFAO when Quinn announces layoffs.

51/34: Its the completion of 08 financials (with really bad numbers on them) combined with initial indications (from weak January WIP reports/ limited new matter openings, etc) that 09 will be even worse. With a lot of firms looking at this one-two punch for the first time in late January/early February, layoffs followed almost automatically.

45

Well, this is one guess on why it is going on today is that it is a long weekend so the firm likely didn't want someone that was going to get the axe take vacation on Friday and hear about their demise via the phone. (This is all a guess)

As for why it is happenning in February is that firms have likley just gotten finalized their projections and staffing requirements for '09 and started the process. Most firms have also just calculated their '08 PPP, revenue, etc. And considering it is likely to be an even worse '09, they are making the decision know.

What is somewhat ironic is that the capital markets have started to unfreeze over the last couple of weeks and sales (i.e. retail sales number) seem to be picking up. the real key though is getting the ABS markets unfrozen - though they won't return to '06 levels it needs to come back and soon.

Man, those are humongous cuts for a firm of this size/stature. Maybe they're prettying themselves up for potential acquirers. Otherwise, H&K to dissolution (quickly).

57, good comments.

At my firm deal activity has started to increase. Now it isn't to the levels that it was before but we are definitely busy again. November, December, and part of January were pretty darn slow.

The general feeling around the office is that credit has started to flow again and there is going to be a lot of activity taking advantage of the reduced prices.

57, good comments.

At my firm deal activity has started to increase. Now it isn't to the levels that it was before but we are definitely busy again. November, December, and part of January were pretty darn slow.

The general feeling around the office is that credit has started to flow again and there is going to be a lot of activity taking advantage of the reduced prices.

The ship be sinking...

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51, It cold be that this has to go down before 401K matches or deposits have to be made, just like layoffs last year were done before year end bonus time. Or it could just be to stop the bleeding right away and fast.

51, It could be that this has to go down before 401K matches or deposits have to be made, just like layoffs last year were done before year end bonus time. Or it could just be to stop the bleeding right away and fast.

LAYOFFS? DonTTT talk about LAYOFFS???! You kiddin' me?!? LAYOFFS???

Is it too much to ask people on this message board to have a little compassion for our colleagues who have just lost their jobs? It is disturbing to see how inconsiderate and tone deaf some of you are toward others.

I am very fortunate to work in a busy counter-cyclical practice group at a top 100 law firm. Nevertheless, I can empathize with everyone who is suffering. I realize every day how blessed I am.

Just because we’re attorneys does not mean that we have to treat people like crap. Many of the people who have lost their jobs have families to support. If possible, show a little empathy, compassion, and humanity toward others. You could be laid off tomorrow.

Thanks,

A Nice Guy in BigLaw

Is it too much to ask people on this message board to have a little compassion for our colleagues who have just lost their jobs? It is disturbing to see how inconsiderate and tone deaf some of you are toward others.

I am very fortunate to work in a busy counter-cyclical practice group at a top 100 law firm. Nevertheless, I can empathize with everyone who is suffering. I realize every day how blessed I am.

Just because we’re attorneys does not mean that we have to treat people like crap. Many of the people who have lost their jobs have families to support. If possible, show a little empathy, compassion, and humanity toward others. You could be laid off tomorrow.

Thanks,

A Nice Guy in BigLaw

Is it too much to ask people on this message board to have a little compassion for our colleagues who have just lost their jobs? It is disturbing to see how inconsiderate and tone deaf some of you are toward others.

I am very fortunate to work in a busy counter-cyclical practice group at a top 100 law firm. Nevertheless, I can empathize with everyone who is suffering. I realize every day how blessed I am.

Just because we’re attorneys does not mean that we have to treat people like crap. Many of the people who have lost their jobs have families to support. If possible, show a little empathy, compassion, and humanity toward others. You could be laid off tomorrow.

Thanks,

A Nice Guy in BigLaw

I used to work there and have many friends who do as well, or at least up until today. All the info I'm getting from 2 friends who have made it through is that there are too many causlties to mention. Associates and attorneys too, not just 1st and 2nd year associates.

Any word on 3L offers?

Read the second-to-newest post re: 3Ls; the end days have arrived.

I have zero sympathy for the overpaid paper pushers losing their jobs this week. The spoiled selfish biglaw set needs a kick in the groin. There are too many stupid people with oversized egos out there in this profession.

-Bitter and unemployed.

Saw this headline and thought "whew, glad I turned down the H&K offer and accepted with DLA Pip...oh shit..."

Anyone within H&K that can confirm -- all firm sources do not return calls -- contact me off the record: amanda_becker@dailyjournal.com

OCEANS RISE

CITIES FALL

QUINN REMAINS WITH EGG ON ITS FACE(BOOK)

I can confirm from the inside that it was a bloodbath today. Staff, Associates, Non-Equity Partners (lots of them). Neighborhood of 300 total. I even heard they laid off an associate in Florida who is 7 months pregnant (is that even legal?). I am speechless...

68 is right. This is an serious situation for the people involved, these comments are for the most part totally idiotic and infantile. (It's frightening that some of you may actually still have jobs and advise clients on legal issues.) Please just leave the thread to people who can provide pertinent information re the situation.

Elie, you really need to start just editing comment threads entirely and only posting substantive comments. Talk to Lat about it.

I am thankful to even have a job in this market, even if it is in litigation support rather than practicing. That being said... 72, your thought process is flawed. It's a shame that you would wish anyone such hardships. Keep this in mind: those overpaid paper pushers are very likely more qualified than you and will likely get the jobs for which you have qualified. The total tally is 243: 70 lawyers and 173 staff.

Confirmation for the total tally at the WSJ Law Blog (see the update added to this post):

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2009/02/12/21209-the-darkest-day-ever-for-big-law-firms/

I don't know who is more annoying - the @ssLobster guy or the QUINN moron.

Good luck to everyone recently laid-off or still looking. Don't fall into a well of depression and end up watching re-runs of Law & Order (or worse, Charmed) everyday in your PJs.

Start updating your resume now and send it to temp agencies, mass mail law firms, **talk to everyone and anyone** you know b/c they just might have an opening at their firm/gov't office...or will have one coming up. Do whatever it takes. The key is not to give up.

I wish I had better advice, but there it is. Keep in touch with friends and family - don't suffer alone.

I am thankful to even have a job in this market, even if it is in litigation support rather than practicing. That being said... 72, your thought process is flawed. It's a shame that you would wish anyone such hardships. Keep this in mind: those overpaid paper pushers are very likely more qualified than you and will likely get the jobs for which you have qualified. The total tally is 243: 70 lawyers and 173 staff.

73 - Don't you have your own sources? This seems like an embarrassing way to go about your reporting (as a professional journalist).

WTF - is it legal to fire someone seven months pregnant? Of course. This isn't Survivor - you don't get "immunity" by being pregnant.

# 66 You are right.

Compassion should be the watchword for the day.

800 plus people were laid off today in firms all across the nation. Most of those 800 have wives, husbands and children as well. Each of them is AS affected as the person laid off.

Come on guys be real this has more far reaching implications then you can begin to fathom. Have some compassion......and say some prayers.

agreed. let's have some civility for at least one day.

# 66 You are right.

Compassion should be the watchword for the day.

800 plus people were laid off today in firms all across the nation. Most of those 800 have wives, husbands and children as well. Each of them is AS affected as the person laid off.

Come on guys be real this has more far reaching implications then you can begin to fathom. Have some compassion......and say some prayers.

"The general feeling around the office is that credit has started to flow again and there is going to be a lot of activity taking advantage of the reduced prices. "

Absolute opposite feeling here at a v50 firm in NY and from friends at other firms. Financial system is still in shambles and I don't see how it is going to be fixed. T I wish I could share your optimism; bankruptcy practice is doing fine though.

84 - you are right! In fact, I have one of each.

Pussy. Don't read this blog if it makes you all misty.

How about a senior partner at Holland and Knight who has been sexually harassing female employees. At least one that I know of. He is a major partner and one who the the other lawyers and staff hate

How about a senior partner at Holland and Knight who has been sexually harassing female employees. At least one that I know of. He is a major partner and one who the the other lawyers and staff hate. This could get ugly. His initials are MA